Photo: Harry How
The TCU Horned Frogs might not reside in Houston, but hometown legend Mattress Mack is backing them in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Jim McIngvale, a furniture salesman from Houston, is known for placing larger-than-life wagers on his hometown teams — and he's expanding his radius to include the underdog of the CFP. Mattress Mack just put a whopping $1.5 million on the Horned Frogs to beat Georgia in the National Championship this weekend, WFAA reports. If they can beat the reigning champs, McIngvale would net $5.55 million.
Mattress Mack's winnings don't go right into his bank account, though! The whole point of McIngvale's wagers is to give back to the customers who shop at his Gallery Furniture location. Here's what he told a local news station back in November:
"I make these bets because we do promotions at the furniture store. Like if the Astros win the World Series you get your money back. I won $75 million on that bet, gave back $73 million to the customers and the other $2 million was expenses. It enables us to run these great promotions. People love them especially with local teams like the Houston Astros and Houston Cougars. We’re having fun with these sports promotions, they work very well and it makes us relevant as a furniture store."
In December, Mattress Mack doubled down and bet $1 million on the Houston Cougars to win the NCAA Tournament. A month before, he placed a $500,000 wager on the Coogs.
As far as the national championship game goes, Georgia is a 12.5 favorite to beat TCU as of Wednesday (January 4). The Bulldogs are favored -450 to win outright, while TCU sits at +350, per BetMGM. The Bulldogs and Horned Frogs are scheduled to face off in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 9 at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Doug Gottlieb Questions the Legitimacy of Lamar Jackson's 'Injury'
Here's What Colin Cowherd Said About the Damar Hamlin Incident
Colin Cowherd Ranks the Top 10 NFL Teams After Week 17
Colin Cowherd: How the Green Bay Packers Saved Their Season
Colin Cowherd Predicts Which NFL Teams Will Survive Week 18, Make Playoffs
Here's Who Sean Payton Thinks No One Wants to See in the NFL Playoffs
Emmanuel Acho Rips Raiders For Benching Derek Carr: 'Bench Josh McDaniels'
Nick Wright: Why Eagles Fans Should Be Nervous Heading into the Postseason
Colin Cowherd on Eagles: 'They Can't Win Super Bowl Without Lane Johnson'
Colin Cowherd Says This Could Be the Perfect Team for Tom Brady Next Year